VINTAGE · RETRO · FURNITURE BLOG

Good Morning Class of 2015 and welcome to The School of Smithers! This morning we will going back to basics and working on your A,B,C’s to ensure your knowledge of Smithers is second to none so settle down and pay attention. Those of you found lacking in quirkiness may have to see me after class so let’s have eyes down, fingers on lips and I will begin.

A – is for Aviator – Smithers straight A collection of handmade home furniture with an obvious nod towards air travel. To most people the sky is the limit. To those who love aviation, the sky is home. For those who live by this rule of thumb, our super cool aircraft collection really is an absolute must have to ensure Top Gun status. Handmade from aluminium, leather and wood, solid quality doesn’t come much higher than this.

B – is for Bookshelf – Fire Dept Bookshelf to be precise. The newest chapter to Smithers and a smoking hot piece in any room! Handmade from cedar wood and cast iron, the Fire Dept Ladder Bookshelf is a blazing addition to your book collection! Perfect adult statement piece or equally fun in your little people’s space.

C – is for Wine Time Clock. An absolutely vital item to assist in learning to tell the time and improve your drinking skills! The Wine Time Clock has a retro style and is handmade from cast iron. This clock works on a very similar level to Cocktail Hour and Pimms O’Clock. Wine Time = Anytime!

D – is for a International footballer, uber stylish French fella, daring hairstyle experimenter and Smither’s very first famous football client. J’adore.

E – is for Exclusive. Have you ever looked up this word in the dictionary? If you have, you will have also found sole, unique, only, individual, personal. Smithers pride themselves on providing only the best exclusive items that’s are as unique as the individual buying them.

F – is for Funky and Funky is our middle name. We have a varied taste in Antique style that boasts funk with modern day living for the customer that loves a bit of funky in there home or work place!

G – is for Gifts. Birthday, Wedding, Anniversary, Thank You, I Love You, I’m Sorry, Good Luck, Goodbye or even Help Me Out The Dog House – whatever the occasion, whoever the recipient – Smithers has the perfect gift for every one of them!

H – is for Hulk Comic Chair. The Comic Strip decoupage Collection is a big part of Smithers and one very close to my heart. Having grown up on a diet of all things Marvel, it’s now a sheer joy to sit and watch these films, especially The Hulk with my own little boy Master Teddie Smithers! H was only ever going to be for Hulk – a firm favourite in the Smithers household and hopefully in yours too with this comic strip cool chair.

I – is for Industrial. The I in Smithers stands for Industrial. Without, this letter, the word would not make sense – the same concept applies to our business ethos. Smithers is all about providing high quality industrial style pieces that have been given a new lease of life since their working days came to an end. If you’re after something with guts and shabby shit just ain’t your bag, our Industrial Collection is where you need to be!

J – is for Journey. Way back when the Smithers thunderbolt struck, I had no idea the journey it would take me on. Not just to the suppliers yards, antique fairs or delivering cool loft Warehouse furniture to Mr Grey, but the highs, the lows, the thrills of finding amazing new products that made me smile, the places I would go and the people I would meet.

Without trying to sound like an Obama speech, I’m learning everyday, the hunger for more is still going strong and I’m still very much on that journey.

K – is for Kim. Mrs Smithers – the heart of everything. Without Kim, there would be no Smithers. Like all men, I am slightly rubbish without the love, organisation and unfailing support of a good woman!

L – is for Lots Road Auction House. Every Sunday since 1979, Lots Road Auctions has allowed its visitors the chance to escape from every day life into an extensive collection of wonders from throughout history. Smithers are overjoyed to be part of that brilliant concept this coming Sunday 19th April. Why not brighten up your weekend and spend your Sunday in Chelsea at this fabulous home of eclectic goods?!

Smithers have a large range of Aviator products including Table Lamps, Leather Swivel Chairs, and Writing Desks being showcased, along with our striking Zebra Wall Torsos and Batman Comic Chests.

The Royal British Legion Military Band will be providing Pomp and Ceremony from 11.15am and if you want to add a touch of eccentricity and quirk to your home, this is the place to be.

M – is for Man Cave. Here at Smithers, we believe it should be every mans God given right to have access to their own space to unwind, talk shite, relax, watch crap, pass wind and generally escape the toils of life! Be it cave, shed, den or bolt hole – Smithers will help you to get the most from your man cave and make it a super cool space you just can’t function without.

O – is for Oh bollocks!! The two words most regularly uttered by Mr S! Apologies in advance.

P – is for Personal. We prefer to work with people rather than facts and figures, and whilst our techno world doesn’t always make this the easiest option, for us at Smithers, it’s the only option. Having spent more time than I care to recall in shops where assistants barely engage in eye contact, Smithers pride themselves on going the extra mile and offering a personal service catered purely to the individual.

Q – is for Quirky. In the dictionary you will also find odd, unusual, eccentric, curious, peculiar, fanciful, unpredictable, whimsical and offbeat. Here at Smithers, we approve of them all and strive to bring the very best of quirk to you!

R – is for Retro. The word retro actually comes from the Latin prefix retro – meaning backwards or in past times which would easily explain how retro style refers to trends of a bygone era. Smithers loves nothing more than stumbling across a quirky new piece with a retro twist.

S – is for Stamford. Beautiful, little market town, voted the best place to live in Britain and home to Smithers. Having travelled the world, there’s no other place we’d rather call home!

T – is for Tyre Table. Our Bridgestone Tyre Coffee Table is the perfect boys toy addition to any living room or outdoor space. A Bridgestone tractor tyre complete with cedar wood top and cast iron legs. Tractor not included. Sadly.

U – is for Upcycled. In a materialistic world that discards supposed waste without a second thought, Smithers pride themselves on selling a vast amount of Upcycled products. Items that had once been deemed as useless or no longer required are given a new lease of life and transformed to a whole new level of stylish necessity! Creativity is making the marvellous out of the discarded.

V – is for Vintage. Vintage is the definition of high quality, prime, superior, select, best or the time that something of quality was produced. Whether it’s a true vintage piece, or an item that’s been given a vintage twist – the Smithers quality is always of the highest standard.

W – is for Whiskey Bar Sign. Smithers believe what whiskey will not cure, there is no cure for!
Our distressed aluminium Whiskey Bar Sign is a must have for any man cave malt drinker!!

X – is for X-Ray. That would be the X-Ray that was required when I dropped a New York Loft Table on my foot! Proof that our products are solid, heavy and well made.

This almost made it into the O for Oh bollocks category but I fear my language may have gone up a level on this occasion!

Y – is for Yes! It’s not just for the Man from Del Monte – at Smithers we strive for all that is yes and believe everything and anything is possible! No, nope, never, no way and absolutely not just aren’t on our radar!

Z – is for Zebra. If you can talk the stripes off a zebra or want to add a touch of Africa to your space, then our handmade Wall hanging Zebra is the perfect monogram species for you. A guaranteed conversation starter and no food or water required! Win win in our book!

I do hope you’ve been taking notes. Revision is a must to ensure you achieve the highest standard of style and quirk! For those of you in need of further help, please come and find me after class.